Easy closure carton

ABSTRACT

A dual snap action, locking carton for cookies, crackers, cereals or other contents which carton may be automatically and repeatedly opened, simply and easily, by lifting with gentle upward pressure a tab or corner of a closure flap over a dual action snap closure formed by carton flaps and webs, and which may be repeatedly closed and positively locked, if desired, by simply applying gentle downward pressure to one or both of the closure flaps.

United States Patent [1 1 Tingley et al.

[ EASY CLOSURE CARTON [75] Inventors: William E. Tingley, Westport,

Conn.; Joseph Addiego, Bayside, N.Y.

[73] Assignee: Nabisco, Inc., New York, N.Y.

[22] Filed: Mar. 15, 1972 [21] App]. No.: 234,925

[52] US. Cl 229/39 R [51] Int. Cl B6511 5/10 [58] Field of Search..... 229/37 R, 38, 39 R, 51 WE, 229/61 TC [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,322,324 5/1967 Persson 229/38 2,307,913 l/l943 Bergstein 229/39 R 3,244,353 4/1966 Niessler, Sr..... 229/39 R 3,549,081 12/1970 Nelson 229/37 R 3,104,795 9/1963 Adams 229/39 R [451 Feb. 19, 1974 3,016,181 1/1962 Desmond 229/39 R 2,292,653 8/1942 Palmer 229/39 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 823,278 11/1959 Great Britain 229/38 Primary Examiner-George E. Lowrance Assistant Examiner-Stephen Marcus Attorney, Agent, or FirmChristen & Sabol; Virgil l-I. Marsh [57] ABSTRACT A dual snap action, locking carton for cookies, crackers, cereals or other contents which carton may be automatically and repeatedly opened, simply and easily, by lifting with gentle upward pressure a tab or comer of a closure flap over a dual action snap closure formed by carton flaps and webs, and which may be repeatedly closed and positively locked, if desired, by simply applying gentle downward pressure to one or both of the closure flaps.

5 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures I EASY CLOSURE CARTON BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to improvements in cartons and in particular to an easy-to-close or snap closure that can be easily opened repeatedly to provide ready access to the contents and can be repeatedly closed, and positively locked, if desired, simply by the application of gentle downward pressure.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the packaging of crackers, cookies or cereals, the recurring problem presented has been how to avoid structural impairment by the initial opening of the carton and the repetitious reclosing and reopening of the same.

Another problem presented by prior art carton structures has been the requirement of fairly extensive manipulation of the carton, for the most part necessitating the use of two hands, for the purpose of closing and/or locking same in closed position and unlocking and/or opening same. Also, many of the prior art structures are difficult to manufacture'and erect and are relatively uneconomical to make because of the extensive waste of paperboard or other sheet material from which they are made and the requirement of extensive manipulation to erect them. Prior art structures because of relative complexity also are more likely to be mutilated during repeated openings and closings.

Attention is drawn to U.S. Pat. No. 3,581,977, U.S. Pat. No. 2,317,223, US. Pat. No. 2,616,527, U.S. Pat. No. 3,244,353, US. Pat. No. 2,799,442 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,365,115.

All of the above-mentioned prior art patents with the exception of the Pike patent and the Miessler patent relate to cartons made from blanks of such diverse configuration that there results substantial and considerable waste in the form of scrap paperboard or other sheet material from which the carton is made. Furthermore, none of the patents cited above disclose or even remotely suggest the double action snap closure of the containers disclosed and claimed by applicants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a novel carton for such consumer products as cookies, crackers, cereals, and other contents. With the present invention, the consumer by following simple steps, instructions for which may be printed on the carton, may easily initially open the closure means in such manner, without damaging it, that leaves it in condition for subsequent use in reclosings after repeated openings.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a closure means for the open end of a carton in which crackers, cookies or cereals are sold so that the closure will have a dual snap-open and a dual snap-close action for providing strong forces to keep the closure means in positive carton-closed position so that it will not be accidentally opened with a resultant deterioration of the contents; and further to provide that the carton is easily opened by the application of gentle lifting pressure, the snap-open action further assisting to maintain the cover flaps of the carton open while the contents are being removed.

Another object is to provide a snap action reclosable closure which can be easily operated with one hand to open or close it, and which, because of its novel structure, requires considerably less force at one point on the closure to open it than at other points on the closure thus providing a dual snap action which provides more positive opening and closing and more positive retention of the closed position by spreading the force necessary to open or close over a greater distance of movement. Thus, the closure maintains its closed position even against considerable opening forces but is easily opened upon application of moderate force at the appropriate place. I

An important object of the invention is to provide a snap closure that will automatically and positively hold the cover flaps of a carton in closed position due to the depressed position of the dual snap means and will automatically hold the cover flaps in open position so that they can provide access to the carton through the enlarged opening afforded by the flaps in opened position.

Another important object is the provision of a carton which is simple to manufacture and erect and which is economical to make with little or no waste of the sheet material from which it is made.

Another object is the provision of a carton which is capable of being opened initally with less risk of mutilation and which is capable of withstanding multiple reclosings and reopenings with less chance of mutilation or damage.

Another object is the provision of a carton having a push-button locking tab which coacts with the bias of folded webs (bellows) which provides a more solid base for pushing a locking tab on one flap into a slot on an opposing flap to strongly and positively lock the carton in closed position and provide a flatter top for ease of stacking and yet permits easy unlocking and opening by the application of gentle lifting pressure to the first said flap.

Still further objects of the invention include the making of a carton and snap closure therefor from a single piece blank thus saving material and reducing the cost of the carton; fold-scoring the closure means in such a manner that it will have a full closing dual snap action at a certain point in the closing operation of the flaps and will also have a substantial opening dual snap action in order that the carton may fully open without extensive manipulation of the flaps except for a gentle lifting on one flap which will open both flaps to fully open position; and to so arrange the fold scores in the snap closure that the latter will effectively operate in closing by a gentle pressure applied to one of the closure flaps without further manipulation.

DESCRIPTION I OF THE DRAWINGS With the above and other objects in view, the invention comprises certain constructions hereinafter described and then particularly pointed out in the claims, and preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a carton of this invention with the top thereof shown in closed position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary-side view of reduced size of the upper end of the carton shown in FIG. 1 with the closure flaps in open position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the flaps approaching their closed position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2' showing the flaps in closed'position;

FIG. is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the upper end of the carton showing the flaps as they appear in the closing process just before reaching the position of FIG. 3, the score folding of the opposite end flaps being clearly shown;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the upper end of the carton with the top thereof shown in closed and locked position;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the blank from which the carton of FIGS. 1 through 6 is constructed, the relative score angles being shown as well as the general scoring and adhesive features;

FIG. 8 is a plan viewof another blank from which another carton similar to the carton illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7 is constructed, illustrating the relative score angles and the general scoring and adhesive features;

FIG. 9 is a view in perspective of a carton representing still another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation of the carton of FIG. 9 with the closure flaps in open position;

FIG. 1 l is a partial view of reduced size in side elevation of the upper end of the carton shown in FIG. 9, the closure for the end opening being shown in open position;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing the closure as it is advanced toward its closed position;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 11 but showing the carton fully closed;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the upper end of the carton of FIG. 9 which is in open position showing the score folds used in forming the closure; and g FIG. 15 is a plan view of the blank used in making the carton shown in FIG. 9, the locations of the fold score angles, and the general scoring and adhesive features being clearly shown;

FIG. 16 is a view in perspective of a carton representing a still further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 is a side elevation of reduced size of the carton of FIG. 16 showing the closure flap in open position;

FIG. 18 is a partial view in perspective of the upper end of the carton shown in FIG. 9, the closure of said carton being shown in open position;

FIG. 19 is a partial view of reduced size in side elevation of the upper end of the carton shown in FIG. 16, the closure of which is shown in partially open position;

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19 showing the closure in fully closed position;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of reduced size showing the upper end of the carton shown in FIG. 16 as it appears in fully closed position;

FIG. 22 is a plan viewof the blank used in making the carton shown in FIG. 16, the locations of the fold score angles and the general scoring and adhesive features being clearly shown.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, there is shown a dual snap action, locking carton 10 having a cross-sectional configuration which is square, and the upper end of which is-provided with a dual snap action, locking closure. The blank for the carton shown in these Figures is designated at 12 in FIG. 7 and is scored on lines 14 and 16 to define the upper and lower ends of the side panels or walls 18 which are of like width and of like length and the bottom panels 20 and bottom closure tabs 22, the latter of which are each provided with an adhesive zone 24 while one of the bottom panels 20 is provided with an adhesive zone 26. The bottom panels 20 and tabs 22 are separated by slits 28. One of the walls or panels 18 is extended along one side to provide an adhesive faced gluing strip 30. The blank is foldscored as designated by dash lines 32 to delineate the walls or panels 18 and these scores are extended be yond upper score line 14 to define closure flaps 34 and 36 and webs 38 and 40 extending between said closure flaps. Closure flap 36 is extended along one side to provide an adhesive faced gluing strip 42. It is to be noted that adhesive faced gluing strip 30 is spaced from gluing strip 42 by a V-shaped notch 44 to provide ease of folding and construction of the corner at the juncture of fold line 14 and 32 at that side of the blank.

Closure flap 34 is provided with a locking tab 46 at the central portions of its free edge. It is also provided with easy opening tabs 48 at each end of its free edge. Closure flap 36 is provided with a slit 50 spaced from and extending substantially parallel to the free edge of the flap and also is provided with three slits 52 substantially perpendicular to and intersecting slit S0 and extending towards the free edge of flap 36. The slits 50 and 52 together define a locking slit for locking tab 46 when the carton has been constructed and closed. The slits 50 and 52 and tab 46 are so placed on their respective flaps that, when the flaps are folded to be approximately perpendicular to the walls 18, the slit 50 underlies the tab 46 approximately at the base of the tab where it joins the remainder of flap 34. As a result, moderate downward pressure (pushbutton pressure) on the tab when the flaps are closed causes depression of flap 36 around the slit 5!) until the tip reaches and enters the slit and release of the pressure causes the tab to fully enter the slit and lock the carton. Web 40 extends between closure flaps 3.4 and 36 and is hingedly connected thereto by fold lines 32. Web 38 extends from closure flap 34 and is joined to closure flap 36 by means of gluing strip 42 when the carton is constructed.

Each of the webs 38 and 40 is provided with two diagonal fold lines 54 which extend from the intersections of fold lines 32 and fold line 14 towards the free edge of each respective web and converge towards each other in the direction of said free edge. It is to be noted that, in respect to web 38, the uppermost diagonal fold line 54, as shown in FIG. 7, intersects with the upper free edge of the blank 12 as shown in FIG. 7 at the point that fold line 14 intersects with said free edge, and that, when gluing strips 30 and 42 are respectively joined to the free marginal portions of the uppermost panel 18 and web 38 the upper diagonal fold line extends from the intersection of fold line 14 and fold line 32 of the gluing strips 30 and 42.

One of the surprising discoveries of this invention is that the angle made between diagonal fold lines 54 and fold line 14 can be substantially 45 and still provide the snap action opening and closing of the carton. I-Ieretofore the prior art had taught that this angle must be greater than 45 By the same token, the angle between diagonal fold lines 54 and fold line 14 need not be 45 but may be larger, for example, 48 or, for that matter, 5 l or larger or smaller. The snap action opening and closing is still obtained whether the angle between diagonal fold lines 54 and fold line 14 is 45 or greater, although it is possible that a sharper or more forceful snap action is attained when the angle is greater than 45. It is preferred that the score lines which provide the diagonal fold lines 54 in webs 38 and 40 be cut deeper into the carton blank than the fold lines 14, 16 and 32 so that folding along the diagonal fold lines 54 offers less resistance than folding along the other said fold lines.

The carton blank is erected to form the carton shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 by folding inwardly along fold lines 32 and adhering gluing strips 30 and 42 at the inner surfaces of the marginal areas along the free edges of the wall or panel 18 and web 38 at the other end of the blank, i.e., shown as being uppermost in FIG. 7. There results a tube of square cross-section Bottom closure tabs 22 at the bottom of the carton are folded inwardly into a position perpendicular to the walls or panels 18. Bottom panel 20 having adhesive zone 26 is folded inwardly into a similar perpendicular position over the bottom closure tabs 22 and the other bottom panel 20 then is folded over the first said bottom panel 20 and the adhesive strips 24 and 26 are activated to join all bottom panels and tabs together to form the bottom of the carton.

The top closure of the carton is formed by causing webs 38 and 40 to fold inwardly along diagonal fold lines 54. This can be conveniently done by pushing with one or more fingers downwardly on flap 34or 36. Usually flap 36 automatically goes under 34. If not, very slight touching on either or both flaps provides the proper position. As the web is folded inwardly along these fold lines, closure flaps 34 and 36 are automatically moved into position over the opening of the carton and perpendicular to the walls or panels 18 to close the carton. In closing the carton in this manner the trapezoid-like, central portion 39 of each web 38 and 40 between each pair of diagonal fold lines 54 at a particular point in the closing operation (just prior to completion of closing), snaps downwardly into the carton. This action serves to position the webs in such manner that a downward force is exerted on closure flaps 34 and 36 which tends to hold such flaps in closed position.

Another important discovery of this invention is that when the widths of webs 38 and 40 (i.e., the distance along fold line 32 from fold line 14 to the free edge of the web) are different as shown in FIG. 7, there is provided a dual snap action which provides the advantages of a more positive closing action. and a stronger holding action when the carton top is in closed condition. In particular, it is noted that with regard to web 40, the distance along fold lines 32 from fold line 14 to the free edge of the web is shorter than the similar distance with respect to web 38 As a consequence of this difference in length, it has been noted that it requires less force, when the closure flaps 34 and 36 are in closed position, to lift the closure flap 34 open at the tab 48 which overlies web 40 while a greater lifting force is required to open when lifting closure flap 34 at the tab 48 that overlies web 38. There thus results a structure in which the closure flaps 34 and 36 are strongly held in closed position, yet can be opened by relatively gentle lifting pressure at the tab 48 which overlies web 40. This makes it easier to open the novel cartons and lessens the risk of damage to the carton'by the accidental application of excessive force to closure flap 34 in the 6 wrong-direction. It is believed that the web 40 having the shorter width snaps out an instant before the other web 38 and thus may assist in the lifting and snapping out of said other web 38. It is also possible when closing the carton that web 40 snaps in just prior to web 38 and thus assists in the snapping in of web 38.

Of course, the carton can also be opened by applying a substantially greater lifting force at the tab 48 overlying web 38. If desired, suitable instructions can be printed on closure flap 34 instructing the user to open the carton by applying upward lifting pressure at the tab 48 which overlies web 40. It is also to be noted as shown in FIG. 4 that the web 38 extends further into the carton than web 40 which has the shorter width. Also because of the shorter width of web 40 as compared to web 38 there results shorter diagonal fold lines for web 40 as compared to the diagonal fold lines of web 38. The reasons underlying the dual snap action of the carton of the present invention are not clearly understood, although it is believed that the wider web 38 provides a larger amount of flexing room for the web and consequently results in the requirement of a larger lifting force to open those portions of the closure flaps overlying web 38. It is also believed that the dual snap action which provides a more positive opening and closing and a more positive retention of the closed position is brought about by spreading the force necessary to open or close the closure flaps 34 and 36 over a greater distance of opening or closing movement of the closure flaps 34 and 36. As a result, the closure is capable of maintaining its closed position even against considerable opening forces but is easily opened upon application of moderate forces at the appropriate point.

If desired, the locking tab 46 can be inserted into the locking slit 50 by simply pressing down on the locking tab 46 when the closure flaps 34 and 36 are in their closed position, in much the same manner that one pushes a pushbutton and using much the same amount of force. The carton in locked condition is shown in FIG. 6. When in locked position it takes a considerable upward force to open the carton. The locked position is of considerable value when it is desired to store the carton and contents after opening for long periods of time or when it is desired to transport the carton and thus assure against accidental opening. The easy opening tabs 48 are provided to facilitate initial opening without damage to the locking tab 46. In this connection, adhesive dots or strips may be placed on the under surface of the closure flap 34 along the marginal portions which overlie closure flap 36, for example, under easy opening tabs 48, such that closure flap 34 will adhere to the upper surface of closure flap 36 and in this manner the carton is closed and sealed for storage, shipment and sale to the consumer.

An inspection of the blank shown in FIG. 7 clearly shows that such blanks are easily cut from sheet stock with-a minimum of waste and effort. Thus, the right hand free edge of the blank as it appears in FIG. 7 mates perfectly with the equivalent free edge of another blank (rotated from the position shown in FIG. 7) of the same shape. Likewise, the left hand free edge of the blank as it appears in FIG. 7 mates perfectly with the equivalent free edge of another blank of the same type. Thus, a single cut forms the top or bottom free edges of two carton blanks.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is-shown a blank 56 for a square, dual snap action carton similar to that de scribed in FIGS. 17, and which is scored on lines 57 and 58 to define upper and lower ends of side panels or walls 59 of like width, bottom panels 61 and intermediate strips 62, the latter of which are each provided with an adhesive zone 63 while one of the panels 61 is provided with an adhesive zone 64. The panels 61 and strips 62 are separated by slits 65. One of the panels or walls 59 is extended at one side to provide an adhesive faced sealing strip 66. The blank is fold-scored on four parallel lines 67 to further delineate the panels 59 and these scores are extended beyond the score line 58 to define closure flaps 68 and 69 connected, when the carton is erected, by webs 71 and 72, the latter of which is extended at one side to provide a sealing strip 73 adjacent sealing strip 66. The free end of flap 69 is scored at 74 to provide a locking tab 75 and a slit 79 is formed adjacent'but spaced from the free edge of closure flap 68 in a position to receive the locking tab 75 and lock the closures in closed position. The flap 69 may be provided on its underside with spot or light ad-,

hesive areas, not shown, near its free edge to adhere it to the upper surface of closure flap 68. Thus, the carton can be initially opened by peeling and gripping at the corners of flap 69 without damaging the locking tab 75. Webs 71 and 72 are each fold-scored as designated at lines 76 at an oblique angle, 48, for example, or 45", if desired, to the fold score 58 to define triangular side wings 77 and a central trapezoid-like section 78 which are bounded by the fold scores 76 between the wings. The angularly disposed score lines 76 of the webs are preferably cut deeper into the sheet material of the blank than the other fold scores so that folding along these web scores offers less resistance than folding along the shallower fold scores that shape the remainder of the carton blank. Thus, for example, the pressing inwardly of the closing flaps 68 and 69 requires some effort, while the folding action of the webs along fold scores 76 occurs relatively easily with the result that the webs are folded down until they and the closure panels are almost horizontal, at which time the final pressure of closing the panels causes the webs to snap downwardly in a manner described above in respect to the carton shown in FIGS. 1-7. The width of the webs 71 and 72 and the angles of the score lines 76 thereof bear such relationship to each other that when the upper edges of the webs move inwardly in closing movement they will avoid blocking and obstructingof the folding and closing action of each other and the flaps. The carton made from theblank of FIG. 8 is constructed in essentially the same way as the carton of FIGS. 1 through 7 except for the specific shape and position of flap 69, the shape of locking tab 75 and slit 79, and the positioning of sealing strips 66 and 73 and opcrates in a similar way.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to inclusive, 82 designates a carton blank which is fold-scored at 84 and 86 to define front and back panels or walls 88 and 90, two side panels or walls 92 and two bottom closure flaps 94 and closure tabs 96. The blank is also fold-scored at right angles to the fold scores 84 and 86 along lines 98 to further delineate the panels or walls 88, 90 and 92 and a gluing strip 100. The fold score lines 98 terminate, at fold line 84 which becomes the bottom end of the folded carton, at the ends of slots 102 which separate and define bottom closure flaps 94 and tabs 96 each of which carries an adhesive zone 104. One is of the bottom closure flaps 94 is with an adhesive zone 106. The bottom closure tabs 96 are first inwardly folded to expose the zones 104 which are adhered to the underside of the flap 94 having the adhesive zone 106. The nonadhesive flap 94 is then inwardly folded over and adhered to adhesive zone 106 to close the bottom as shown in FIG. 9.

The fold lines 98 extend beyond fold line 86 to define closure flaps 108 and 110 and webs 112 and 114 hinged to each side of closure flaps 108 and 110. Web 114 is hingedly connected to closure flap 110 and is joined to closure flap 108 by glue strip 101 which is separated from gluing strip by a V-shaped notch 113. Closure flap 108 is formed with a locking tab 116 in the central portions of its free edge and easy opening tabs 118 at each end of its free edge. Closure flap is provided with a relatively long slit 120 extending along the central portions of the flaps free edge and spaced therefrom and three spaced parallel slits 122 extending perpendicularly from slit 120 toward but not reaching the free edge of the flap. The slits 120 and 122 and tab 116 are so placed on their respective flaps that, when the flaps are folded to be substantially perpendicular to the walls 88, 90 and 92, the slit 120 underlies the tab 116 at the base of the tab where it joins the remainder of flap 108. Consequently, moderate downward pressure on the tab 116 when the flaps are in closed position causes depression of flap 110 around the slit 120 until the tip of tab 116 reaches and enters the slit 120 and release of the downward pressure causes the tab 116 to fully enter slit 120 and lock the carton in closed condition.

It is to be noted that the flap 108 overlies marginal portions of flap 110 along its free edge. The underside of those portions of flap 108 which overlie such marginal portions may be provided with adhesive spots or strips so that the top can be sealed after introduction of the contents and closing..The easy opening tabs 118 facilitate lifting the flap 108 to break the adhesive seal to open the top without tearing, mutilating or otherwise damaging the locking tab 116 or the remaining working parts of the closure.

Each web 112 and 114 is formed with two diagonal fold lines 124 which extend from the intersections of fold lines 98 and 86 at each corner towards the free edge of each respective web and converge towards each other in the direction of said free edge. As shown in FIG. 15 the angle made by each diagonal fold line with fold line 86 approximates 51. This divides each web into a trapezoid-like central portion 126 and wings 128 on each side of it. When the upper closure flaps 108 and 110 are moved in the box-closing direction, the webs 112 and 114 will bend on the score lines 124 and the webs will be depressed by the closing pressure of the flaps 108 and 110 acting on the wings 128 which, in turn, act on the trapezoids 126. The webs are folded inwardly and downwardly to the horizontal position (their size is such that they will not meet) and, just be fore reaching this position, the webs snap below the horizontal position to the one indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 13. Asthe flaps 108 and 110 fold inwardly the free marginal portions of flap 108 will overlie the free marginal portions of flap-110 when webs 112 and 114 snap below the horizontal position, with the free marginal portions of flap 108, cooperating with the free marginal portions of flap 1 10, providing a limit stop. As

flap 108 is lifted in opening the carton, the webs 112 and 114 rise until they reach horizontal position at which point (or slightly thereabove) in their rising movement they suddenly snap out with the result that the flaps 108 and 110 snap to open position. The differences in widths of the webs 112 and 114 as measured along the fold lines 98 from fold line 86 to the respective free edges of the webs provide a dual snap action explained above in connection with FIGS. 18.

Referring to FIGS. 16 through 22, a carton with a dual action snap closure is shown as applied to an entrance at one end of the top of a carton 130 which is formed from a blank l32shown in FIG. 22. The blank is fold-scored along line 134 to form the bottom closure flaps 136 and the bottom closure tabs 137, the latter each having an adhesive zone 138 while one of the bottom closure flaps 136 has an adhesive zone 139. The blank is scored for folding along line 135 which is parallel to foldscore 134 and also is scored along lines 141 at right angles to the fold scores 134 and 135 to define front and back panels or walls 142 and side panels or walls 143 of the carton. Slots 133 at the bottom end of fold lines 141 separate the bottom closure tabs 137 and bottom closure flaps 136. That part of the blank that becomes the top of the carton, i.e., that part extending to the right of fold line 135 as shown in FIG. 22, is cut out to form top panels 144 and 145, end tab 147 and closure flap 149 with its associated wings 152 and 156. The top of the carton is closed, for a greater portion of its length, by overlapping top panels 144 and 145 the latter of which carries an adhesive zone 146 over an end closure tab 147 which has an adhesive coating 148 for securing the end closure tab to the underside of top panel 145 when the blank is folded into carton shaping form. The uncovered end of the top of the carton is closed by the closure flap 149 formed integrally with the upper end of a side panel 143. The fiap 149 is foldscored along line 151 which is in a slight offset relation to the fold score 135. The rectangular body of the closure flap 149 is flanked by the right triangular shaped side wings 152 and 156 each of which has a diagonally disposed score fold 153 or 158, respectively, disposed obliquely at an angle of substantially 49 extending from the junctures of fold score 135 and the fold scores 141 on each side of the closure flap 149. It is to be noted that the legs and hypotenuse of the triangular wing 156 are shorter than those of triangular wing 152. Thus, there is provided a carton having a closure flap 149 that yieldably resists bending when the carton is closed and also provides a dual snap action in closing or opening as the closure flap reaches horizontal closed position. At this position, due to the closing-pressure applied to the flat portion of the flap 149, the side wings 152 and 156 will snap downwardly below the horizontal to the position shown in dotted lines in FIGS. and 21. The snap closure flap 149 is extended at its free end at 154 to provide a lift tab which overlies the free edge margins of the top panel 145 to limit the closing snap action of the snap closure flap 149. The tab 154 may be scored at 155 so that it will yield slightly on an upward pull that will lift the snap closure flap 149 above the horizontal from which it will snap to open position to provide access to the contents of the carton. The score 155 permits repeated manipulation of the tab 154 in opening and closing the carton. While the angle of 49 is presented as an example, any angle of score lines 153 may be used consistent with the 10 opening and closing action of the snap closure flap 149, as desired.

ln the same manner as explained above in connection with the carton shown in FIGS. l-7, the end of the free edge of closure flap 149 overlying the triangular wing 156 having the shorter legs and hypotenuse requires less lifting force to move from a closed position to the position where the wing provides a snap action as compared to the lifting force required to move the end of the free edge overlying the triangular wing 152 which has the longer legs and hypotenuse. This makes it easier to open the novel cartons disclosed and claimed herein and thus lessens the risk of damage to the carton by the possible misapplication of excessive force to the closure 149. It is also believed that the wing 156 having the shorter legs and hypotenuse snaps out an instant prior to the snapping out of the other wing 152 and thus may assist in the lifting and snapping out of said wing 152. It is also possible when closing the carton that wing 156 snaps in just prior to wing 152 and thus assists in snapping said wing 152 in.

This invention is not to be restricted to the precise details of construction shown since various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing the advantages to be derived from its use.

What is claimed is:

1. In a generally rectangular, paperboard carton having a bottom, four side walls and a top opening, a reclosable closure structure for said top opening comprising:

l. first and second flaps each hingedly joined to the upper edge of opposite side walls and adapted to be folded along each said edge into a plane substantially normal to said side walls to overlap each other and assume a closed position, said first flap being provided with a locking tab and said second flap being provided with a slit for receiving said locking tab when said flaps are moved to closed position;

2. a pair of webs, each of said webs being hingedly joined along hinge lines to a side edge of each of said first and second flaps and also hingedly joined to the upper edge of a side wall contiguous with those to which said first and second flaps are hinged, each of said webs having two lines of weakening extending from each corner formed by the intersection of the upper edges to said side walls to the free edge of said web and at an angle with the upper edge of the side wall to which said web is joined, each said hinge line on one of said webs being shorter than the hinge lines of the other said web, and said weakening lines of the web having the shorter hinge lines being shorter than the weakening lines of said other web, whereby when said flaps are moved to closed position said webs are inwardly folded on said weakening lines and are urged by said flaps into closure locking position with said web having the shorter hinge lines requiring less force to move from the closure locking position to the open position than the force required to so move the other said web.

2. In a carton as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first flap is provided with gripping tabs at the ends. of the free edge thereof to facilitate opening the carton.

3. In a carton as claimed in claim 1 wherein said angle is approximately 45C.

4. in a carton as claimedin claim I wherein said first and second flaps extend beyond both said webs.

5. In a carton as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carton is made from a blank having a first sealing extension along the side edge of a side panel at one end of 5 said blank for sealing to the side margin of the side panel positioned at the other end of said blank and a second extension along the side edge of the web hinged 

1. In a generally rectangular, paperboard carton having a bottom, four side walls and a top opening, a reclosable closure structure for said top opening comprising:
 1. first and second flaps each hingedly joined to the upper edge of opposite side walls and adapted to be folded along each said edge into a plane substantially normal to said side walls to overlap each other and assume a closed position, said first flap being provided with a locking tab and said second flap being provided with a slit for receiving said locking tab when said flaps are moved to closed position;
 2. a pair of webs, each of said webs being hingedly joined along hinge lines to a side edge of each of said first and second flaps and also hingedly joined to the upper edge of a side wall contiguous with those to which said first and second flaps are hinged, each of said webs having two lines of weakening extending from each corner formed by the intersection of the upper edges to said side walls to the free edge of said web and at an angle with the upper edge of the side wall to which said web is joined, each said hinge line on one of said webs being shorter than the hinge lines of the other said web, and said weakening lines of the web having the shorter hinge lines being shorter than the weakening lines of said other web, whereby when said flaps are moved to closed position said webs are inwardly folded on said weakening lines and are urged by said flaps into closure locking position with said web having the shorter hinge lines requiring less force to move from the closure locking position to the open position than the force required to so move the other said web.
 2. a pair of webs, each of said webs being hingedly joined along hinge lines to a side edge of each of said first and second flaps and also hingedly joined to the upper edge of a side wall contiguous with those to which said first and second flaps are hinged, each of said webs having two lines of weakening extending from each corner formed by the intersection of the upper edges to said side walls to the free edge of said web and at an angle with the upper edge of the side wall to which said web is joined, each said hinge line on one of said webs being shorter than the hinge lines of the other said web, and said weakening lines of the web having the shorter hinge lines being shorter than the weakening lines of said other web, whereby when said flaps are moved to closed position said webs are inwardly folded on said weakening lines and are urged by said flaps into closure locking position with said web having the shorter hinge lines requiring less force to move from the closure locking position to the open position than the force required to so move the other said web.
 2. In a carton as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first flap is provided with gripping tabs at the ends of the free edge thereof to facilitate opening the carton.
 3. In a carton as claimed in claim 1 wherein said angle is approximately 45*C.
 4. In a carton as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second flaps extend beyond both said webs.
 5. In a carton as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carton is made from a blank having a first sealing extension along the side Edge of a side panel at one end of said blank for sealing to the side margin of the side panel positioned at the other end of said blank and a second extension along the side edge of the web hinged to said side panel the first said end of said blank for sealing to the side margin of the flap positioned on said other end of said blank, said extensions being separated by a notch extending from the free edges of said extensions to include a part of the hinge line joining said web and said side panel. 